The Silenced Screams

by Arathi Suresh

Fri 19th May
18:00, 18:30, 19:00, 19:30
Alec Clegg
£Free

The Silenced Screams is an audio-documentary exhibition based on the testimonies of the female survivors of Boko Haram. This verbatim experience aims to elevate these narratives from statistics to stories. As an intimate sonical experience, this performance invites all to ponder deeper and join in the much needed conversation.

Boko Haram, a terrorist organisation that was based in Nigeria, was responsible for the deaths, kidnappings and displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. Amongst them were women who were kidnapped for ransom and to work as sex slaves, servants and suicide bombers. Some of these women have managed to escape but when they were found by the military were then subjected to further torture, humiliation and starvation with little or no support from organisations like UNHCR and Amnesty International. These audios explore how they were involuntarily forced to join the organisation, there time at Boko Haram, their escape and abuse by the military and their lives today. The first three audios are verbatim testimonies three different individuals, whilst the last is a collective voice.
Despite everything they have been subjected to, these women have stayed strong and fought for theirs and their children's lives. They are currently setting up their own business in sustainable soap making and are looking for donations.

Tea, coffee and snacks provided. Donations are welcome.

Content Warning: This experience contains material that may be traumatising to some audiences. The material explores themes of violence, death, kidnapping, rape and sexual harassment, miscarriage, and terrorism